Construction permits up 54%

The high volume and value of construction permits continued last month with the strongest August in at least three years, according to municipal records.

With 875 permits granted by the city, August saw permit values total $178.5 million – a 54-per-cent leap year-over-year.

Behind August’s strong numbers was a $60.4-million permit to fitup the five-storey building on Ogilvie Road for Communications Security Establishment Canada. The project will be completed by a consortium led by PCL Constructors Canada Inc. and Plenary Properties Ltd. and is expected to create 4,000 to 5,000 jobs in the Ottawa area, according to CSEC’s website.

Also topping the charts was a $13.7-million permit to construct the 10-storey Kanata Lakes Apartments on Canadian Shield Avenue.

The top permits in August by value are:

Communications Security Establishment Canada

(1929 Ogilvie Rd.)

Contractor: Unknown

Description: Tenant fit-up in a five-storey

office building

Value: $60,430,679

Kanata Lakes Apartments

(Building B)

(1025 Canadian Shield Ave.)

Contractor: Groupe Lepine

Description: Construct a 10-storey residential building with a two-storey underground parking garage

Value: $13,700,000

Canada-Ontario Affordable

Housing Program

(241 Centrum Blvd.)

Contractor: Terlin Construction Ltd.

Description: Construct the superstructure for a four-storey, 41-unit apartment building